Machine for automatically coiling stiff wire into a helix



5, 1958 L. o. LARSEN ET AL 2,845,986

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY COILING STIFF WIRE INTO A HELIX Filed May 17,1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG INVENTORS L0. LARSE N W0. SIMPSON A TTQQNE)Aug. 5, 1958 L. o. LARSEN-ETAL MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY COILING STIFFWIRE INTO A HELIX Filed May 17, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 2 (28 FIG 3//WE/\/ 704% L. 0. LARSE N W 0. S/MPSON ATTORNEY United States PatentMACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY COILING STIFF WIRE INTO A HELIX Leonard G.Larsen and Warren 0. Simpson, Indianapolis, Ind, assignors to WesternElectric Company, Incorpo rated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of NewYorlr Application May 17, 1954, Serial No. 430,092

4 Claims. (Cl. 153--64) This invention relates to apparatus for formingwires and more particularly to apparatus for spiraling predeterminedlengths of stiff wires.

Certain electrical apparatus units are manufactured Wtih stiff wireleads of definite lengths attached thereto and for convenience inshipping such units, the lengths of wire required for the leads areformed into helixes or spiral turns with a straight section at the endwhich is to be attached to the unit;

An object of the invention is an apparatus which is simple in structurebut highly efiicient in forming such wires.

With this and other objects in view, the invention comprises anapparatus adapted to advance a wire longitudinally continuously and toform like successive spiral turns therein. A unit of the aparatus isadapted to restraighten portions of predetermined spiral turns of thewire after which means is actuated to cut the wire successively adjacenteach of the straightened portions.

More specifically, the apparatus includes a. power means for driving adrum and a timing unit. The drum is associated with a stationarycylindrical element, with a spiral groove on its inner surface to guidethe formation of successive spiral turns in the wire, while pressurerollers, driven by the powermeans at like speeds faster than theperipheral speed of the drum, cause tightening of the spiral turns onthe drum to assure formation of like spiral turns in the wire. At theexit end of the drum, a means is provided to guide the continuous spiralturns from the drum through a cutting unit under the control of thetiming unit to cut the wire after a straightening element has beenactuated to straighten a predetermined portion of one of the spiralturns.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdetailed description when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of the apparatus, portions thereofbeing broken away;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentay sectional view taken substantially along the line22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the apparatus, looking from theleft (Fig. 1);

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig.1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of an article produced from stiff wireby the apparatus.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the ap paratus includes abase 10 with a vertical frame 11, the base supporting a power means orelectric motor 12, an air cylinder 14 and a cutting unit indicatedgenerally at 15. The motor 12- is operatively connected to a shaft 16 bysprocket and chain connection 17, the shaft being journalled in suitablebearings 18 mounted in the of the shaft 16 together with a gear 21.Pinch rollers 23, mounted on spindles 24, are spaced equally about thedrum 20 and have their peripheries like distances from the drum,depending upon the diameter of a stiff wire 25 to be fed longitudinallycontinuously to the drum from a supply (not shown). The spindles 24 arejournalled in suitable bearings (not shown) in the adjacent portion ofthe frame 11 and in a fixed cover plate 26. Pinions 28 are fixedlymounted on the spindles 24 and interengage the gear 21 to cause theirrespective pinch rollers 23 to travel at a faster surface speed than thecon tacting surface speed of the spiral turns of the wire to cause themto move faster than the surface speed of the drum until the spiral turnsare tightened on the drum.

A cylindrical unit, indicated generally at 30 and formed of arcuatesegments 31 disposed concentric with the axis of the drum 20 and theshaft 16 between the pinch rollers 23, is fixed to the cover plate 26and has a spiral groove 32 therein starting with the entrance position33 for the wire 25 (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2) and continuing to theexit end of the drum. Actually the spiral groove 32 has open areasadjacent the pinch rollers 23 but the pinch rollers assure continuousguidance through the open areas. A guide tube 35, having a funnel shapedend 36, extends through the base 10 and has its upper end of the'contour(shown in Fig. 2) supported at 37 to guide the wire 25 through theentrance 33 of the cylinder 31 into the space between the drum 2t andthe cylinder adjacent one of the pinch rollers 23.

While viewing Fig. 2, attention is directed to the spindle 24 for thelowermost pinch. roller, this spindle being hollow and mountedconcentric with a shaft 40. The shaft 40 extends through the verticalportions of the frame 11 and has a pawl-like element 41 fixed to one endthereof. The element 41 has a projection 42 positioned to be engaged byan inner high portion 43 of a cam 44 of a timing unit 45' (shown inFigs. 1 and 4). The timing unit 45 includes a gear 46- mounted on theshaft 16 and interengaging gear 47 mounted for rotation on a spindle48'. The cam- 44 is mounted on the spindle 48 and may be adjustablysecured to the gear 47 by any suitable means (not'shown).

The outer surface of the cam 44 hasa high portion 50 adapted to actuatearoller arm 51 of a microswitch 52 which causes operation of the cutterunit. 15. A schematic illustration is shown in Fig. 1 associated withthe air cylinder 14 in the form of a solenoid valve 53 disposed in afluid line 54, extending from a supply (not shown) to an air cylinder at55. In the present embodiment of the invention, due to the fact that thecutting unit is instantaneous in its action, let it be assumed that theair cylinder, with its piston rod 56, is of the automatic return type.The electrical circuit (shown in Fig. 1) includes a source of electricalenergy in the form of a grounded battery 57, connected to the switch 52by line 58 and from the switch to the grounded solenoid valve 53, byline 59.

The cutting unit (shown inFigs. l and 3) includes a stationary bracket60 mounted on the base 10 and supporting a stationary cutting element 61having an aperture 62 with a cutting edge 63 disposed adjacent the exitend 64 of a stationary spiral tube 65. The tube 65 is formed with anentrance end 66 fixed to' the cover plate 26 and extending therethroughto receive the spiral turns of the wire 2521s they leave the exit end ofthe drum 20. A movable cutter 67 has V-shaped cutting edges at the upperend thereof (as shown in Fig. 1)' to cooperate with the cutting edge 63of the stationary cutter 61 to sever the wire 25 after a portion of one"of the spiral turns has been straightened. If desired, the fixed cuttingedge 63 may be V-shaped to cooperate with the V-shaped cutting edge ofthe movable cutter 67. The movable cutter 67 extends through an aperture68 in the bracket 60 and is normally urged downwardly so that its lowerend will rest on one of the adjacent ratchet teeth 69 of an actuatingelement 70 by the force of a spring 71. The element 70 is mountedfixedly on a spindle 72 and is actuated by the piston rod 56 through theaid of a spring actuated pawl 73 and the pivotal connection of thepiston rod with a lever 74, which is bifurcated to straddle the element70 and the pawl 73 and to pivotally support the pawl at 75.

The means to straighten a portion of one of the spiral turns of the wireincludes an arm 78 fixedly mounted on the adjacent end of the shaft 40,which is normally urged counterclockwise (Fig. 3) into its dotted lineposition against a stop 79 by a helical spring 80 (Fig. 1). It will benoted that one end of the spring 81 is fixed to the adjacent portion ofthe frame 11 while the other end is connected to a pin 82 fixed to theshaft 40. The arm 78 carries a grooved roller 83 positioned above thespiral turns of wire leaving the guiding means or tube 65 and always incontact with the wire so that whenever the high portion 43 of the cam 44engages the projection 42 of the element 41, the arm will be moved tothe position (shown in Fig. 3) causing straightening of a given lengthof the wire or a given portion of one of the spiral turns thereof.

Considering now the operation of the apparatus, let it be assumed thatthe motor 12 is energized, driving its shaft 16 to drive the drum 20 andthe gear 46 of the timing unit 45. It will be apparent that the wire 25,initially, may be fed manually through the guide tube 35 until itsleading end passes through the entrance 33 and is gripped between thedrum 20 and the adjacent pinch roller 23.

From this point on, the apparatus is completely automatie in itsactuation causing continuous feeding of the wire longitudinally. Theleading end of the wire may be followed as it is guided by the spiralgroove 32 and the cylindrical unit 30 between the pinch rollers 23. Eachtime the wire passes by one of the pinch rollers, it is given an addedurge or linear push about the drum to form continuous like tight spiralturns through the guidance of the spiral groove 32 until eventually theleading end enters the stationary guide tube 65 to lead the spiral turnsfrom the drum where they will be self-supporting. The ratios of thegears 46 and 47 determine the length of the wire in each articleindicated at 85 (in Fig. 6). The length of the wire in each articledetermines the number of spiral turns allowed to pass from the drum andbeyond the straightening roller 83 before the cam 44 is brought intoaction to first, through the rocking motion of the element 41 and theshaft 40, cause the arm 78 with its roller 38 to move into the position(shown in Fig. 3) to physically restraighten the wire at one of thespiral turns and to hold the wire so that when passing beneath theroller 83 and over a collar 86, the successive portions of the wire willbe restraightened. This continues until the high portion 43 of the camleaves the element 41 and allows the spring 80 to return the shaft 40together with the arm 78 to its normal position determined by the stop79. Immediately after the restraightening operation has been completed,the switch 52 is actuated into closed position, energizing the solenoidvalve 53 to cause actuation of the air cylinder 14, or movement of thepiston rod 56 to the left, to rock the lever 74 with its pawl 73, tomove the ratchet-like element 70 one position and, in doing so, causerapid action of the movable cutter 67 relative to the stationary cutter61. This action, resulting in cutting the wire, is so rapid that thecontinuous operation of the apparatus is not disturbed. Although theremay be a momentary pause in the continuous advancement of the wire atthe point of exit 64 of the tube 65, the action of the cutter is sorapid that it is difficult to observe visually. The new leading end ofthe wire is already fed through the aperture 62 of the stationary cutter61 and will travel beneath the roller 83 of the straightening arm 78. Inthis manner, the spiral turns for the next article may continue in theirmovement beyond the drum, the stationary arm and the cutting unit untilthe desired length of wire for this next article has moved beyond orsubstantially beyond the drum. At this time, the timing unit 45 againwill come into action to rock the shaft 40 with the straightening arm 78and its roller 83, after which the switch 52 will be closed to causeactuation of the cutting unit to produce successive articles 85 (asshown in Fig. 6).

it is to be understood that the above described arrangements are simplyillustrative of the application of the principles of the invention.Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled inthe art which will embody the principles of the invention and fallwithin the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for forming wire comprising a continuously rotatabledrum having an entrance end and an exit end, a stationary guide mountedadjacent the entrance end of the drum to feed a wire continuouslythereto, means cooperating with the drum to cause the wire to formsuccessive spiral turns about the drum and thereby move axially of thedrum to and beyond the exit end thereof, a tubular guide partiallyconforming to the successive turns and having an entrance and an exit,means to support the tubular guide to position its entrance adjacent theexit end of the drum to receive the successive turns therefrom, a fixedposition roller mounted for rotation about its axis adjacent the drum toengage the outer periphery of each spiral turn beyond the exit of thetubular guide, an arm having one end mounted for rocking movement aboutthe axis of the roller between a normal and an operated position, amovable roller mounted adjacent the other end of the arm and positionednormally to engage the inner periphery of the spiral turns, means urgingthe arm into its normal position, and means operable to rock the arm tocause the rollers to straighten successive portions of predeterminedspiral turns.

2. An apparatus for forming wire comprising a continuously rotatabledrum having an entrance end and an exit end, a stationary guide mountedadjacent the entrance end of the drum to feed a wire continuouslythereto, means cooperating with the drum to cause the wire to formsuccessive spiral turns about thedrum and thereby move axially of thedrum to and beyond the exit end thereof, a tubular guide partiallyconforming to the successive turns and having an entrance and an exit,means to support the tubular guide to position its entrance adjacent theexit end of the drum to receive the successive turns therefrom, a fixedposition roller mounted for rotation about its axis adjacent the drum toengage the outer periphery of each spiral turn beyond the exit of thetubular guide, an arm having one end mounted for rocking movement aboutthe axis of the roller between a normal and an operated position, amovable roller mounted adjacent the other end of the arm and positionednormally to engage the inner periphery of the spiral turns, means urgingthe arm into its normal position, means operable to rock the arm tocause the rollers to straighten successive portions of the predeterminedspiral turns, cutting members disposed adjacent the exit of the tubularguide and operable in timed relation with the arm to cut the turn of thewire leaving the exit of the tubular guide at the juncture of thestraightened portion.

3. An apparatus for forming wire comprising a continuously rotatabledrum having an entrance end and an exit end, a stationary guide mountedadjacent the entrance end of the drum to feed a wire continuouslythereto, means cooperating with the drum to cause the wire to formsuccessive spiral turns about the drum and thereby move axially of thedrum to and beyond the exit end thereof, a tubular guide partiallyconforming to the successive turns and having an entrance and an exit,means to support the tubular guide to position its entrance adjacent theexit end of the drum to receive the successive turns therefrom, powermeans to drive the drum at a given speed to form the successive turnsduring predetermined time intervals, a rocking shaft, 21 fixed positionroller supported for rotation on the rocking shaft to engage the outerperiphery of each spiral turn beyond the exit of the tubular guide, anarm having one end fixed to the rocking shaft for rocking movement aboutthe axis of the roller, a movable roller mounted for rotation adjacentthe other end of the arm and positioned normally to engage the innerperipheries of the spiral turns without disturbing their spiralformations, and means operated at predetermined intervals duringrotation of the drum to rock the shaft and the arm to cause the movableroller to cooperate with the fixed position roller to straightensuccessive portions of predetermined turns.

4. An apparatus for forming Wire comprising a continuously rotatabledrum having an entrance end and an exit end, a stationary guide mountedadjacent the entrance end of the drum to feed a wire continuouslythereto, means cooperating with the drum to cause the wire to formsuccessive spiral turns about the drum and thereby move axially of thedrum to and beyond the exit end thereof, a tubular guide partiallyconforming to the successive turns and having an entrance and an exit,means to support the tubular guide to position its entrance adjacent theexit end of the drum to receive the successive turns therefrom, powermeans to drive the drum at a given speed to form the successive turnsduring predetermined time intervals, a rocking shaft, a fixed positionroller supported for rotation on the rocking shaft to engage the outerperiphery of each spiral turn beyond the exit of the tubular guide, anarm having one end fixed to the rocking shaft for rocking movement aboutthe axis of the roller, a movable roller mounted for rotation adjacentthe other end of the arm and positioned normally to engage the innerperipheries of the spiral turns without disturbing their spiralformations, means operated at predetermined intervals during rotation ofthe drum to rock the shaft and the arm to cause the movable roller tocooperate with the fixed position roller to straighten successiveportions of predetermined turns, and cutting members disposed adjacentthe exit of the tubular guide and operable in timed relation with thearm to cut the turn of the wire leaving the exit of the tubular guide atthe juncture of the straightened portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS265,026 Coultaus Sept. 26, 1882 483,321 Fulghum et al. Sept. 27, 1892534,410 Stubbe Feb. 19, 1895 788,970 Waterman et al. May 2, 19051,181,107 Cadman May 2, 1916 1,367,814 Hathaway et a1. Feb. 8, 19211,466,999 James Sept. 4, 1923 1,756,427 Gunter Apr. 29, 1930 1,842,223Walton Jan. 19, 1932 2,248,149 Wilson July 8, 1941 2,291,922 Russel Aug.4, 1942 2,450,324 Wilson Sept. 28, 1948 2,668,510 Mally Feb. 9, 1954FOREIGN PATENTS 466,812 France Mar. 13, 1914

